Adjustable selective orificing steam condenser

ABSTRACT

An air cooled steam condenser having adjustable plate means or a series of adjustable plates mounted within the steam intake header compartment. The plate means in effect form a series of interconnected subchambers, each of which communicates with a row of cooling tubes in which steam is condensed by a stream of cooling air flowing over, around and past the tubes. The rows of tubes extend transversely of the direction of airflow and the rows extend perpendicular to the direction of airflow at spaced intervals. An adjustable inlet passage is formed by each plate through which stream flows into the subchambers. The passages are smaller in area for each successive subchamber in the header through which the steam flows so that only that amount of steam that can be condensed effectively within the tubes in any row, enters such row, having regard to the tube length and the temperature difference at the particular row which determines the cooling effect of the airflow over the successive rows of tubes.

United States Patent 1191 Ris et al. Apr. 9, 1974 [5 ADJUSTABLESELECTIVE ORIFICING 1,078,146 3/1960 Germany 165/174 STEAM CONDENSER[75] Inventors: Kenneth B. Ris, Massillon; Pnmary Exammer llben DFerdinand Huber Canton b th Attorney, Agent, or FzrmJoel E. S1egel ofOhio [73] Assignee: Ecodyne Corporation, Chicago, Ill. [57] ABSTRACT Anair cooled steam condenser having adjustable plate 122] Flled: 1973means or a series of adjustable plates mounted within [2]] App]. 3 0 thesteam intake header compartment. The plate means in effect form a seriesof interconnected sub- Related Apphcauon Data chambers, each of whichcommunicates with a row of [62] Division of Ser. No. 139,371. May 9cooling tubes in which steam is condensed by a stream of cooling airflowing over, around and past the tubes. 1 1 Us Cl 1 1 The rows of tubesextend transversely of the direction 174 of airflow and the rows extendperpendicular to the F28! F2813 11/00 direction of airflow at spacedintervals. An adjustable Field 0f Search inlet passage is formed by eachplate through which /111, 1 2 stream flows into the subchambers. Thepassages are smaller in area for each successive subchamber in the 1References Citgd header through: which the steam flows so that onlyUNITED STATES PATENTS that amount of steam that can be condensed effec-1,072,637 9/1913 Newman 165/96 tively within the tubes in any ww, entersSuch 3,073,575 l/l963 Schulenberg 165/174 x gf g g regard g e t lengthfi z temgerawge Y 1 erence at t e partlcu ar row w 10 etermines t eFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS cooling effect of the airflow over thesuccessive rows 908,806 10/1962 Great Britain l65/17 4 f b 1,291,6173/1962 France 165/174 758,312 8/1954 Germany 165/174 3 Claims, 14Drawing Figures ADJUSTABLE SELECTIVE ORIFICING STEAM CONDENSER This is adivision, of application Ser. No. 139,371, filed May 3, 1971.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The adjustable selectiveorificing steam condenser BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention The invention relates to heat exchangers and in particular toair cooled steam condensers. More particularly the invention relates toadjustable orificing means mounted within the condenser header wherebythe amounts of steam entering various rows of condensing tubes aremetered or reduced proportionally to the reduced cooling effect of thecooling air due to increased cooling air temperature resulting from heatextracted from tubes previously cooled, so that only that amount ofsteam that can be cooled efficiently is supplied to the tubes of aparticular row.

2. Description of the Prior Art Air cooled steam condensers usuallyinclude a plurality of condenser tubes arranged in rows one behind theother in the direction of airflow of the cooling air. Steam enters thecondenser inlet header which communicates with the inlet ends of thetubes and then flows through the tubes wherein it is condensed. Fansblow cooling air across the tubes in an airflow direction generallyperpendicular to the rows of tubes. The steam is condensed by thecooling air to form condensate as it travels through the tubes, and thecondensate is collected at the outlet ends of the tubes in any suitablemanner. Condensation should take place throughout the length of thetubes for most efficient condenser operation.

Problems have arisen in the construction and operation of air cooledsteam condensers as described in U. S. Pat. No. 3,073,575 relating toinefficient steam feed distribution to the cooling tubes, temperaturedifferential changes due to changing weather conditions, etc. Thevarious solutions to such problems suggested in said US. Pat. No.3,073,575, however, are complicated in structure and expensive inexecution.

No air cooled steam condenser constructions of which we are aware haveeliminated the problems of uneven steam distribution by efficientlymetering or distributing the steam within the condenser inlet header bysimple partition means using simple finned condenser tubes in all rowsof the condenser having the same structure and characteristics as todiameter, length and cooling fin surface.

These problems have been eliminated by the constructions shown in US.Pat. No. 3,731,735 wherein one or more fixed partition plates that meterthe amounts of steam entering the various rows of condensing tubes byforming inlet passages and subchambers, are mounted within the condenserheader.

These constructions involve determination and formation of the inletpassage and subchamber sizes based upon an average of design factors,such as inlet steam temperature and pressure, and cooling airflowtemperature and velocity. Thus, where one or more of these factors varythe design fails to be optimum and the efficiency of the condenser isreduced. Furthermore, this requires each condenser to be designed andconstructed for a specific application and specific conditions withoutany flexibility in condenser operation and use once so designed andconstructed.

It is desirable to provide some means in the condenser construction, andpreferably in the steam inlet header, for selective adjustment of thesteam distribution pattern, not only so that optimumoperating'conditions can be provided during original installation of aparticular condenser, but also so that adjustments can be made from timeto time to compensate for seasonal changes or for steam supply factorsthat may change.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Objectives of the invention include providingadjustable selective orificing for steam condensers which meters theamounts of steam flowing to and through the cooling tubes in tube rowsof the condenser, proportional to the condensing ability of the tubes inany particular tube row; providing adjustable selective orificing forsteam condensers having condenser tubes all of which are the same inlength, passage cross section, number of fins, and total heat exchangesurface area; providing adjustable selective orificing for steamcondensers in which adjustable plates forming passages of varying widthsor areas are mounted within the condenser inlet header for selectivedistribution of steam; providing adjustable selective orificing forsteam condensers permitting existing condenser designs to be convertedeasily and inexpensively to establish adjustable metered distribution ofsteam to the several rows of cooling tubes in the condenser; providingadjustable selective orificing for steam condensers in which the metereddistribution of steam may be varied as condenser design factors vary toinsure optimum efficiency in condenser operation; and providingselective orificing for steam condensers which eliminate difficultiestherefore encountered, achieve the stated objectives simply andeffectively, and solve problems and satisfy existing needs.

These objectives and advantages are obtained by the adjustable selectiveorificing construction for steam condensers, the general nature of whichmay be stated as including in a steam condenser for condensing steam ina plurality of tubes arranged in a plurality of generally parallel rows,extending between and communicating with a'steam inlet header and acondensate outlet header; the rows of tubes extending transversely ofand at spaced intervals perpendicular to the direction of airflow ofcooling air that passes over and around the rows of tubes to condensesteam flowing through the tubes from the inlet header; the steam inletheader having a chamber and inlet means for said chamber; partitionmeans adjustably mounted within the chamber dividing the chamber into aseries of metered steam zones each communicating with at least one rowof tubes; said partition means being constructed to distribute inletsteam in the chamber in successively smaller amounts to each successivezone corresponding to the reduced cooling effect of the airflow ofcooling air passing successively over the spaced rows of tubes to whichsteam is distributed from successive zones; means preferably including aplurality of partition plates dividing the chamber into a plurality ofsubchambers forming said successive zones and communicating respectivelywith successive rows of tubes; a passage formed by each plate forsupplying steam from one subchamber zone to the adjacent subchamberzone; the passages formed by successive plates between adjacentsubchamber zones being successively smaller; and means communicatingwith the plates for adjusting the size of the passages formed by theplates.

In the alternative the partition means may include an adjustablepartition plate located in the inlet header angularly with respect tothe tubesheet at the inlet ends of the rows of tubes; and said angularplate defining in said header a passage and a series of successivelysmaller tube inlet zones communicating respectively with successive rowsof tubes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the inventionillustrative of the best modes in which applicants have contemplatedapplying the principles are set forth in the following description andshown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed outand set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, with portions broken away, showing an aircooled steam condenser equipped with the improved adjustable selectiveorificing plate construction;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical side elevation of the steam condenser shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view, with portions brokenaway and in section, looking in the direction of arrows 3-3, FIG. 2,showing one condenser section;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4, FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5, FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged sectional view taken on line 6-6, FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view, with portions broken away and insection, showing a modified steam condenser construction having a weldedinlet header construction equipped with improved adjustable selectiveorificing plate means;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 8-8, FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 9-9, FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary top plan view, with portions broken away and insection, showing a steam condenser construction similar to FIG. 6 havinganother embodiment of the improved adjustable selective orificing platemeans;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 11-11, FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 12-12, FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modified steamcondenser construction having a cylindrical steam drum or headerequipped with improved adjustable selective orificing plate means; and

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view showing another embodiment ofthe improved adjustable selective orificing plate means mounted within acylindrical steam drum condenser construction as shown in FIG. 13.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment A typical aircooled heat exchanger is indicated at 1, (FIGS. 1 and 2) and includestwo steam condenser sections 2 and 3 supported on frame members 4 andhaving side and end panels 5 mounted on the frame members 4. Fans 6mounted on pedestals 7 beneath condenser sections 2 and 3 blow coolingair (indicated by arrows A, FIG. 2) upward through sections 2 and 3.

A steam supply manifold 8 communicates with a source of steam, such asthe exhaust of a steam turbine, to be condensed, and pipes 9 form steaminlets for the individual sections 2 and 3 from manifold 8. Condensateoutlet lines 10 are connected to the opposite ends of sections 2 and 3and deliver condensate into a main condensate line 11.

Different heat exchanger installations may have a different number ofcondenser sections 2 and 3 assembled together. The operation andfunction of condenser sections each having the improved adjustableselective orificing means incorporated therein are similar. Thereforeonly one condenser section 2 (FIGS. 36) is described in detail.

Condenser section 2 includes a plurality of cooling tubes 12 preferablyhaving helical fins 13 extending outward therefrom. Tubes 12 are mountedwithin a frame 14 having side channels 15, an inlet header 16 and anoutlet header 17.

Tubes 12 are mounted parallel to each other within frame 14in aplurality of rows 18, 19, 20 and 21 spaced one above the other (FIGS. 4,5 and 6) arranged in that order along the direction of airflow indicatedby the arrow A. Tubes 12 in a particular row may be spaced intermediatethe tubes in the adjacent rows, above and below, as shown in FIG. 5.Likewise, tubes 12 are assembled within frame 14 was to have a slightincline from inlet header 16 to outlet header 17 so that condensateflows or drains into header 17.

Inlet header 16 has a coverplate header construction including aU-shaped member 22 formed of tubesheet 23, top and bottom wall portions24 and 25 and side walls 26 (FIGS. 4 and 6). A removable end wall orcoverplate member 27 closes the open end of and is attached to headermember 22 by bolts 28 engaged with flange 29 on member 22. Coverplate 27is sealed by gasket 30.

The inlet ends of tubes 12 are connected in a usual manner by expandingor welding in tubesheet 23. Coverplate 27 is removed easily from member22 to permit access into header 16 and to tubes 12 for adjustment of theselective orificing means located within header 16, and for expanding orwelding tubes 12 and for cleaning and for removing any obstructions thatmay form in tubes 12.

The upper end 31 of steam inlet pipe 9 is connected to header bottomwall 25 communicating with the header steam inlet opening 32.

Condensate outlet header 17 (FIG. 4) may be constructed similar toheader 16 including a U-shaped member 33 with a tube-sheet 34 connected,to the outlet ends of tubes 12. A coverplate 35 closes the open end ofmember 33. Condensate outlet opening 36 in bottom wall portion 37 ofheader 17 is connected with the upper end 38 of condensate outlet line10.

In accordance with the invention a plurality of adjustable partitionplates (FIG. 6), indicated at 39, 40 and 41 are mounted within header 16on tubesheet 23 preferably by welding at 42 and extend outward therefrominto the compartment of header 16. The plates 39, 40 and 41 are parallelto each other and to bottom wall 25, and are mounted between tube rows18 and 19, 19 and 20, and and 21, respectively. Thus, subchambers 43,44, 45 and 46 are formed within header 16.

Partition plates 39-41 each preferably includes a fixed base plate 47and a top plate 48. Top plate 48 is adjustably mounted on base plate 47by bolts 49 which extend through slots 50 formed in top plate 48. Thenumber of attaching bolts 49 and slots 50 for each partition plate mayvary depending upon the length of header l6 and the thickness and lengthof top plate 48. Three such attaching bolts and adjustment slots foreach plate 48 are shownin FIG. 5.

Top plates 48 form a series of subchamber inlets 51, 52 and 53 betweenthe outer or free edges 54 of plates 48 and cover-plate 27. The positionof the free edges 54 of partition plates 39-41 is adjusted easily byadjusting the location of bolts 49 in slots 50, after removal ofcoverplate 27, to change the size of inlets 51-53. As shown, inlet 51 islarger than inlet 52, and inlet 52 is larger than inlet 53.

Steam flow, indicated by arrows B (FIG. 6), enters header 16 throughdistribution pipe 9 and inlet opening 32. The amount of steam thatpasses through subchambers 4346 and subsequently rows 18-21 of tubes12,respectively, becomes decreasingly smaller due to the decreasing size ofinlets 5l-53.

Therefore, a larger amount of steam B, enters the tubes in row 18 forcondensation therein than the reduced amount of steam B entering tuberow 19 and likewise the further reduced amounts of steam B and Bentering tube rows 20 and 21. This continual reduction in amounts ofsteam entering succeeding tube rows of similar tubes spaced along thedirection of flow A of the cooling air is a characteristic of theconcept of the invention. This compensates for the continual increase intemperature of the cooling air and the decreasing means effectivetemperature difference as theair passes from row 18 over the subsequentrows 19-21 picking up heat from the previously cooled rows of tubes.

The sizes-of inlets 51-53 are determined by adjusting partition plates39-41 in any particular installation,

taking into consideration factors including the pressure and temperatureof the steam entering header 16, the velocity and temperature of coolingair flowing at A past the tubes 12, and the total finned heat exchangecooling surface of tubes 12. Ideally, the Size of inlets 51-.-53 will besuch that the amounts of steam B, B entering the respective rows 18'-2lof tubes 12 will be completely condensed as steam flow in any tube 12reaches the outlet header 17.

Thus, in the event that any of these above design factors change,partitionplates 39-41 may be adjustedaccordingly to admit more or lesssteam B, B, through inlets 51-53 for condensation within tubes 12. Forexample the sizes of inlets 51-53 may be increased in winter months incold weather regions duev to the increased cooling ability of thecooling air. Likewise, should the pressure or temperature of the steamentering header plate 70 and extend through slots 73 in movable top,

16 change due to a change in operating conditions of the source of steamsupply, plates 39-41 may be adjusted accordingly to enable maximumefficiency to be achieved in the operation of the condenser.

The particular construction of header 16 described having a coverplatemember 27 is preferredfor low pressure applications and forinstallations in which rapid fouling occurs within tubes 12. Coverplate27 may be removed easily to provide access to tubes 12 and the headerchamber for rapid and efficient cleaning and removal of any foreignmatter therein. Coverplate 27, likewise, provides quick and easy accessinto header 16 for adjusting partition plates 39-41. 7 Second EmbodimentA modified steam condenser construction is indicated at 55a, (FIGS. 7, 8and 9) and includes an inlet header 55 preferably having a weldedconstruction of the type shown in Patent No'. (Serial No. 748,31 1) ofMelvin G. Yohn and preferably is used in applications having highersteam pressures than those applications in which header 16 describedabove is used. The header construction of FIG. 9 is similar to header 16except that the end wall or plug sheet 56 is continuous and integralwith the top and bottom header walls 57 and 58 and tubesheet 59.

Rows of tubes 61a 61d each having a plurality of tubes 61, have theirinlet ends expanded in or welded to tubesheet 59 and communicate withinlet header 55. Tubes 61 otherwise are arranged like tubes 12 incondenser 1 and cooling air flows past tubes 61 as indicated at C.

Holes 60 are formed in plug sheet 56 aligned with the inlet ends oftubes 61 to permit access into header 55 and to tubes 61 for expandingor welding tubes 61 in tubesheet 59 and for cleaning and removing anyobstructions that may be formed in tubes 61. Removable plugs 62 closeholes 60.

A plurality of adjustable partition plates 63, 64 and 65 are mountedwithin header 55 and form a series of subchambers 66, 67, 68 and 69(FIG. 9) which communicate with tube rows 61a 61d, respectively.Partition plates 63-65 and subchambers 66-69 are similar in constructionand function to partition plates 39-41 and subchambers 43-46,respectively, in inlet header 16. Likewise, partition plates 63-65 eachincludes a fixed plate 70 and a moveable top plate 71.

The integral construction of header 55 prevents direct access topartition plates 63-65 for manual adjustment. Accordingly, adjustingmeans external to header 55 is provided. 1

Threaded studs 72 project from the free ends of eac plates 71. Each topplate 71 is releasably tensionclamped to base plate 70 by springs 74tensioned by nuts 75 and lock nut 76 on studs 72. Washers 77 may beplaced between springs 74 and top plate 70. The spring tension on topplates 71 is such that any pressure exerted by incoming steam does notaffect the adjusted positions of top plates 71, yet enables top plates71 to .be slidably moved with respect to plates 70 by means describedbelow.

A number of adjusting rods 78, preferably three such rods for eachplate, extend through holes 79 in plug sheet 56 and are connected topartition plates 63-65. Arod 78 preferably is located at each end andcentrally of partition plates 63-64 for ready plate adjustment.

Rods 78 preferably are L-shaped having a threaded stem portion 80 and aleg portion 81. A plug 82 having a threaded shank 83 and a head 84 isthreaded into each hole 79. Plug shank 83 has a central bore 85 coaxialwith an enlarged threaded bore 86 formed in plug head 84. A packinggland 87 may be located in bore 86 to seal rod 78.

A U-shaped saddle 88 extends outward from plug head 84 provided with anopening in its web 89 through which rod stem 80 extends. Nuts 90threaded on stem 80 on each side of web 89 retain rod 78 in adjustedposition.

Adjustment of partition plates 63-65 is accomplished easily by looseningnuts 90 and by moving rods 78 into or out of header 55.

Steam flow indicated by arrow D (FIG. 9) enters header 55 throughdistribution pipe 9 and inlet opening 91 formed in bottom wall 58 and ismetered and distributed in tube rows 61a 61d through subchambers 66-69in the same manner as steam flow B in header 16.

Third Embodiment Another modified steam condenser construction havingadjustable selective orificing means incorporated therein is indicatedat 92 in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. Condenser 92 has a coverplate header 93similar to header 16, including top and bottom walls 94 and 95,tubesheet 96, end walls 97 and a coverplate 98. Coverplate 98 isattached to header 93 by bolts 99 and the connection may be sealed by agasket 100.

Tubes 101 are mounted parallel within condenser frame 12 in rows 103,104, 105 and 106 in that order along the direction of airflow indicatedby arrows E (FIG. 12). The inlet ends of tubes 101 are connected byexpanding or welding to tubesheet 96. j

A partition wall 107 is welded at 108 to tubesheet 96 between tube rowsI04 and 105 and extends outward from tubesheet 96 within the headercompartment.

A stud 109, threaded at ends 110 and 111, projects in each directionfrom the outer end of partition 107. Another stud 112 projects from topwall 94 toward and preferably aligned with stud 109.

A pair of flexible metal sheets 113 and 114 are welded at 116 totubesheet 96, between tube rows 105 and 106 and branch away from eachother in the compartment of header 93. Another flexible sheet 115 isattached to tubesheet 96 between tube rows 103 and 104 and extendswithin the header compartment in a manner similar to sheets 113 and 114.Sheets 113, 114 and 115 each are formed with slots 117 through whichstuds 1 12 and stud ends 110 and 111, respectively, extend. Pairs ofstud positioning nuts 118 retain sheets 113-115 in adjusted positionswithin the header compartment.

Wall 107 and partition sheets 115-113 extend longitudinally throughoutthe length of header 93 (FIG. and form a series of subchambers 119, 120,121 and 122 communicating with tube rows 103, 104, 105 and 106,respectively.

The positions of partition sheets 113-115 in header compartment areadjusted so that subchambers 119-122 progressively decrease in size inthe direction of the cooling airflow indicated by arrows E, passing overthe respective rows of tubes 103-106.

Adjustment of subchamber forming partition sheets 113-115 is made easilyby loosening nuts 118 and then flexing the sheets in either direction asshown in dotdash lines in FIG. 12. Slots 117 and lock nuts 118 enablethe sheets to be adjusted to different positions with respect to studs-112.

Steam flow indicated by arrow F (FIG. 12) upon entering header 93through inlet opening 123, first flows through subchamber 119 and thenthrough header zone 124 located between coverplate 98 and the openingsfor subchambers 119-122. Various amounts of steam enter tubes 101 oftube rows 104-106, from zone 124, depending upon the size of theentrance to the subchamber communicating with the particular row oftubes, which subchamber entrance is regulated by the adjustment ofsheets 113-115.

The cooling airflow first passes over tube row 103 which is connected tosubchamber 119 which receives the largest amount of steam. Sheet isadjusted so that subchamber 120 receives the next largest amount ofsteam, and sheets 114 and 113 are adjusted so that subchambers 121 and122 each receives a progressively smaller amount of steam.

Thus, as any of the factors affecting the condenser operation change,sheets 115-113 must be adjusted accordingly to regulate the amounts ofsteam entering the tube rows 103-106 The partition means 113-115 may behinged to tubesheet 96 rather than welded thereto, in order to permitadjustment of the subchamber openings.

Fourth Embodiment The new steam condenser construction may beincorporated in a cylindrical steam manifold 125 shown in FIG. 13.Header 125 includes a chamber 126 formed by cylindrical walls 128 and aheader inlet section 127 defined by tubesheet 129, top and bottom walls130 and 131, and end walls 132.

Header section 127 is provided with a flange 172 which is connected in asuitable manner with tubesheet 129. The connection may be sealed by agasket 173. Top and bottom walls 130 and 131 and end walls 132 aresecured to cylindrical walls 128 and flange 172 by welds 174.

Tube rows 133-136 each having a plurality of tubes 137, are connected bywelding or expanding to tubesheet 129. Tubes 137 are arranged in thesame manner as tubes 12, 61 and 101 in condensers 1, 55a and 92 andcooling air flows past tubes 137 in a direction indicated at G.

Flexible metal partition sheets 138, 139 and 140 and partition wall 141are connected within the header inlet section 127 to tubesheet 129 bywelds 173 and extend into the compartment formed by header 127. Studs142 project from partition wall 141 and extend through slots 144 formedin sheets 138-140. Nuts 145 retain sheets 138-140 in adjusted position.

Partition wall 141 and partition sheets 140-138 thus form subchambers146, 147, 148 and 149 which communicate with the successive rows oftubes 133-136.

Steam flow, indicated by arrows H enters the zone located between theopen end of header section 127 and the openings to subchambers 146-149,directly from the steam manifold chamber 126.

The partition sheets 138-140 are adjusted so that subchambers 146-149and the steam distributed to each subchamber is largest in amount forsubchamber 146 and progressively smaller in subsequent subchambers alongthe direction of airflow G.

Fifth Embodiment Another modified form of header construction is shownat- 150 in FIG. 14 andincludes adjustable selective orificing means.

Header 150 includes a manifold chamber 151 formed by a cylindrical drum151a and a header inlet section 152. Tubes 153 located in parallelspaced rows 154-157 are connected to tubesheet 162 by welding orexpanding. Cooling air flows past tubes 153 as indicated by'arrows J.

A curved flexible baffle 158 is mounted within the header inlet section152 preferably by welding at 160 to top wall 161. Baffle 158 extendsdownwardly at an angle away from tubesheet 162 into manifold chamber151. The lower portion 163 of baffle 158 is spacedabove bottom wall 164of header section 152 to form a passage 165 communicating between headerchamber 151 and header subchamber 166 located between partition baffle158 and the inlet ends of tubes 153.

Threaded studs 167 and 168 extend through slots 169 and 170 formed inbaffle 158 and are adjustably connected to baffle 158 by nuts 171. Studs167 and 168 preferably are attached within header 150 to header inletsection top and bottom walls 161 and 164, respectively, by welds 174. vi

A number of studs 167 and 168 may be located in spaced relation alongbaffle 158 to provide adjustment for baffle 158.

The angular arrangement of baffle 158 with respect to tubesheet 162forms a series of zones in subchamber 166 of decreasing size from bottomto top opposite the inlet ends of the rows 154-157 of tubes 153. Thisseries of zones of decreasing size meters the amounts of steam flowinginto'tube rows 154-157 in decreasing amounts distributed from the mainsteam flow indicated at K entering subchamber 166 from manifold 151through passage 165.

Baffle 158 thus forms adjustable partition means defining in header 150and header section 152 a passage 165 and a series of successivelysmaller tube inlet zones communicating respectively with the successiverows or tubes 154-157.

The amount of steam entering the various tube rows is adjusted byflexing baffle l58 about weld point 160, thereby changing the angle ofbaffle 158 with respect to tubesheet 162 which changes the capacity andshape of-subchamber 166 and the amounts of steam entering thevarioustube rows. Flow J of cooling air is in the direction across tuberows 154-157 such that row 154, which receives the greatest amount ofsteam, is cooled by the coolest air.

Baffle 158 may be adjusted to permit various steam distribution patternsto be established in the design of subchamber 166. Baffle 158 may behinged to top wall 161 rather than welded thereto,'in order to permitadjustment of subchamber 166.

IN GENERAL in each of the embodiments of the invention illustrated anddescribed, adjustable partition means is provided within the inletheader to distribute the incoming steam in decreasing amounts tosuccessive rows of cooling tubes so that the row of tubes first cooledby the coolest airflow receives the greatest amount of steam andsubsequent tube rows along the path of airflow receive proportionallydecreasing amounts of steam. Any individual row of tubes thereforereceives only that amount of steam that can be condensed throughout itslength, eliminating premature or insufiicient condensation within thetubes, while using tubes all identically the same in construction of thecondenser. The partition means may be adjusted to admit more or lessamounts of steam into the various tube rows, so that as the factorswhich affect the condensation rate within the tubes change, the supplyof steam to the tubes can be changed to enable the condenser to operateat optimum efficiency.

Accordingly, the adjustable selective orificing steam condenserconstruction provides for progressively reducing the amount of steampassing through header zones so as to correspond to the location of therows of tubes in the path of flow of cooling air; enables condensertubes having the same length, the same passage cross section, the samenumber of fins and the same total heat exchange surface to be used infabricating the condenser; enables many designs of steam condensers tobe easily and inexpensively converted to include the improved adjustableselective orificing construction; enables the amount of steam that enterthe various rows or tubes to be adjusted so that if those factors whichaffect the rate of condensation are changed, then the amounts of steamto be condensed are adjusted accordingly to provide maximum efficiencyin the operation of the condenser; prevents premature condensation whichmay result in frozen conditions during cold weather; and provides such aconstruction which is effective, safe, inexpensive, and efficient inassembly, operation and use, and which achieves all the enumeratedobjectives, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with priordevices, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness and understanding but no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom be- -yond the requirements of the prior art, becausesuch terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to bebroadly construed. I

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way ofexample, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exactdetails of the construction shown or described. V

Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of theinvention, the manner in which the improved adjustable selectiveorificing steam condenser is constructed, assembled and operated, thecharacteristics of the new construction, and the advantageous, new anduseful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices,elements, arrangements, parts, and combinations are set forth in theappended claims.

We claim:

1. In a steam condenser of a type in which a plurality of tubes arearranged in a plurality of generally parallel rows, extending betweenand communicating with a steam inlet header and a condensate outletheader; in which the rows of tubes extend transversely of and at spacedintervals perpendicular to the direction of airflow of cooling air thatpasses over and around the rows of tubes to condense steam flowingthrough the tubes from the inlet header to the outlet header; and inwhich all of the tubes in all of the rows have the same internaldiameter and length and the same heat exchange cooling surface area; thesteam inlet header having a chamber and inlet means for said chamber;partition means mounted within the chamber including a plurality ofpartition members which divide the chamber into a plurality ofsubchambers; said subchambers dividing the Chamber into a series ofmetered steam zones each communicating with at least one row of tubes todistribute inlet steam in the chamber in successively smaller amounts toeach successive zone corresponding to the reduced cooling effect of theairflow of cooling air passing successively over the spaced rows of thetubes to which steam is distributed from successive zones; and saidinlet header includes a tubesheet to which the rows of tubes areconnected; in which the partition members include a plurality offlexible sheets and a partition wall mounted on the tubesheet andextending outward into the header chamber, in which stud means aremounted on the header and project into the header chamber; and in whichsaid flexible sheets are adjustably connectedto said stud means toregulate the flow of inlet steam to said successive zones whereby thesteam-in each zone may be maintain'ed at an optimum operating level bysuch adjustment to compensate for changes in operating conditions.

2. In a steam condenser of a type in which a plurality of tubes arearranged in a plurality of generally parallel rows, extending betweenand communicating with a steam inlet header and a condensate outletheader; in which the rows of tubes extend transversely of and at spacedintervals perpendicular to the direction of airflow of cooling air thatpasses over and around the rows of tubes to condense steam flowingthrough the tubes from th inlet header to the outlet header; and inwhich all of the tubes in all of the rows have the same internaldiameter and length and the same heat exchange cooling surface area; thesteam inlet header having a chamber and inlet means for said chamber;partition means mounted within the chamber dividing the chamber into aseries of metered steam zones each communicating with at least one rowof tubes to distribute inlet steam in the chamber in successivelysmaller amounts to each successive zone corresponding to the reducedcooling effect of the airflow of cooling air passing successively overthe spaced rows of tubes to which steam is distributed from successivezones; and said inlet header includes header walls and a tubesheet towhich the rows of tubes are connected; said partition means comprises abaflle plate movably mounted with the inlet header; said baffle plateextends from a location adjacent one row of tubes angularly outward awayfrom the tubesheet to a location spaced from a header wall to define apassage in said header; in which said baffle defines said series ofmetered zones communicating with said passage and respectively withsuccessive rows of tubes in said header; in which a plurality of rods,having adjustable clamp means, are mounted within the inlet header foradjustment of said baffle to regulate the flow of inlet steam to saidsuccessive zones whereby the steam in each zone may be maintained at anoptimum operating level by such adjustment to compensate for changes inoperating conditions.

3 The construction defined in claim 2 in which the baffle comprises aflexible member formed with a plurality of slots; and in which the rodsextend through said slots.

1. In a steam condenser of a type in which a plurality of tubes arearranged in a plurality of generally parallel rows, extending betweenand communicating with a steam inlet header and a condensate outletheader; in which the rows of tubes extend transversely of and at spacedintervals perpendicular to the direction of airflow of cooling air thatpasses over and around the rows of tubes to condense steam flowingthrough the tubes from the inlet header to the outlet header; and inwhich all of the tubes in all of the rows have the same internaldiameter and length and the same heat exchange cooling surface area; thesteam inlet header having a chamber and inlet means for said chamber;partition means mounted within the chamber including a plurality ofpartition members which divide the chamber into a plurality ofsubchambers; said subchambers dividing the chamber into a series ofmetered steam zones each communicating with at least one row of tubes todistribute inlet steam in the chamber in successively smaller amounts toeach successive zone corresponding to the reduced cooling effect of theairflow of cooling air passing successively over the spaced rows of thetubes to which steam is distributed from successive zones; and saidinlet header includes a tubesheet to which the rows of tubes areconnected; in which the partition members include a plurality offlexible sheets and a partition wall mounted on the tubesheet andextending outward into the header chamber; in which stud means aremounted on the header and project into the header chamber; and in whichsaid flexible sheets are adjustably connected to said stud means toregulate the flow of inlet steam to said successive zones whereby thesteam in each zone may be maintained at an optimum operating level bysuch adjustment to compensate for changes in operating conditions.
 2. Ina steam condenser of a type in which a plurality of tubes are arrangedin a plurality of generally parallel rows, extending between andcommunicating with a steam inlet header and a condensate outlet header;in which the rows of tubes extend transversely of and at spacedintervals perpendicular to the direction of airflow of cooling air thatpasses over and around the rows of tubes to condense steam flowingthrough the tubes from the inlet header to the outlet header; and inwhich all of tHe tubes in all of the rows have the same internaldiameter and length and the same heat exchange cooling surface area; thesteam inlet header having a chamber and inlet means for said chamber;partition means mounted within the chamber dividing the chamber into aseries of metered steam zones each communicating with at least one rowof tubes to distribute inlet steam in the chamber in successivelysmaller amounts to each successive zone corresponding to the reducedcooling effect of the airflow of cooling air passing successively overthe spaced rows of tubes to which steam is distributed from successivezones; and said inlet header includes header walls and a tubesheet towhich the rows of tubes are connected; said partition means comprises abaffle plate movably mounted with the inlet header; said baffle plateextends from a location adjacent one row of tubes angularly outward awayfrom the tubesheet to a location spaced from a header wall to define apassage in said header; in which said baffle defines said series ofmetered zones communicating with said passage and respectively withsuccessive rows of tubes in said header; in which a plurality of rods,having adjustable clamp means, are mounted within the inlet header foradjustment of said baffle to regulate the flow of inlet steam to saidsuccessive zones whereby the steam in each zone may be maintained at anoptimum operating level by such adjustment to compensate for changes inoperating conditions.
 3. The construction defined in claim 2 in whichthe baffle comprises a flexible member formed with a plurality of slots;and in which the rods extend through said slots.